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Stay Healthy
If you want to be more in control of your health consider the following:
- If you smoke – STOP; if you don’t smoke don’t start.
- Stop eating when you are 80% full (a Japanese cultural custom) – not at 150% (an American custom).
- If you are getting stiff, it will only get worse unless you stretch. If you are limber, you will only get stiff over time unless you try to stay limber.
- If you are inactive you will become more inactive and weak and getting anywhere (including your own toilet) will become difficult. Anyone can become more active – so get moving and do something!
- Know your family history and think about what you are doing to prevent the same thing from happening to you.
Waking up HAPPY is much better than waking up anxious or fearful. Going to bed thankful is much better than going to bed angry or depressed.
A Laughing Matter
A bad mood not only gives you a gloomy outlook, it also lowers your immune function, leading the way to illness.
“Laugh Therapy” has turned out to have real substance. Research has discovered that laughter and joy boost immune functions, especially the production of the natural killer cells that help defend the body from illness and cancer. Laughter also increases the release of endorphins – compounds that give you a sense of well-being, in your brain. Without a doubt, joyful people live longer and healthier lives. So read your favorite comics, watch your favorite comedies and laugh it up! J
The Flu
Symptoms: Fever, body aches, headache, dry cough, sore or dry throat, you feel tired and loss of appetite.
Duration: You feel awful the first 3 to 4 days but the symptoms can linger for one to two weeks.
Persons at high risk: Young children, pregnant women, older adults and people with an impaired immune system.
Treatment: Rest, drink plenty of fluids and take medicine to lower your fever.
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Sleep Better
If you have been traumatized by an act of violence, a car accident or the death of a loved one, the repercussions can affect your daily life, including your sleep. The National Sleep Foundation describes how a traumatic event can cause sleep disturbances and offers suggestions to help you sleep better:
- Problems falling asleep can result from anxiety, recurring thoughts of the trauma and flashbacks.
- Nightfall and darkness may increase anxiety.
- Nightmares may be common, causing you to awaken and making it difficult to fall asleep again.
- To sleep better, pick a spot where you feel safe and comfortable. It doesn’t necessarily have to be your bedroom.
- Don’t eat or drink too much right before bed.
- Take time to relax before bed. Let go of your anxieties, listen to music, read or take a bath to help you feel calm and relaxed.
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